JP2005284494A - Digital information retrieval/regeneration device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extract image information corresponding to retrieval conditions, from a set of image information with simple switch operation. <P>SOLUTION: An input means 7 for extracting images corresponding to retrieval information, from image information can sequentially display the images corresponding to the retrieval conditions by assigning retrieval information switches 2, 3 to switches 11, 12 which originally have another role, and pressing image feed switches 55, 56, 57, 58 while pressing the above switches. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital information search / playback apparatus for searching and playing back digital information that meets a desired condition from each set of digitized image information and audio information.

  Searching and reproducing desired image information from a recording medium on which a plurality of digitized image information and search information assigned to each digital information are recorded is performed by an image recording / reproducing apparatus such as a digital camera. . As this image information search and playback means, each image information is played back in order, means for determining whether it is necessary or unnecessary, a plurality of image information is displayed at a time on the display unit, or a list of image information is displayed, There are means for visually searching, or means for displaying a menu or the like of the search device and searching for the user by inputting necessary information. (For example, patent document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-175533

Each of the above methods is troublesome.
In addition, when a large amount of image information is irregularly recorded on the recording medium, and it is desired to display an image for each group of desired image information, it is necessary to organize the image information recorded on the recording medium. In general, there are many users who copy and organize image information on a high-function large-capacity recording device such as a personal computer.
However, a high-function and large-capacity recording device such as a personal computer is large and inconvenient to carry, and requires cumbersome operations such as copying and organizing image information.
The present invention clarifies a digital information search / playback apparatus that can search and play back a desired group of image information with a similar operation to a normal screen feed operation, and that can be miniaturized.

  The digital information searching / reproducing apparatus of the present invention extracts a plurality of digital information and search information added to each digital information from reading means (6) and a set of digital information read by the reading means (6). An input means (7) for inputting search information for power digital information, and the search information input by the input means (7) is collated with the search information read by the reading means (6), thereby obtaining the search information. The search means (8) for extracting the corresponding digital information and the notification means (9) for converting the extracted digital information into analog information and informing the information are input. The input means (7) selects the search information. Search information selection switches (2) and (3) for the above and a feed switch (5) for switching the digital information notified by the notification means (9) to the next information, and the input means (7) The search information selection switch (2) (3) in the ON and by pressing the feed switch (5), can be notified by the notification means (9) only the information corresponding to the search information.

When a set of digital information stored in a recording medium is played back by forward or backward for each piece of information, use the left and right switches or the upper and lower switches of the cross-shaped feed switch provided in the display device. It is common to operate.
In the present invention, the search information switches (2) and (3) are turned on and the normal operation of pressing the feed switch (5) is performed, so that only the information corresponding to the search information is sequentially switched and converted into analog information. Is notified by the notification means (9).
The desired information can be searched and notified to the notification means (9) without greatly changing the operation from the normal reproduction procedure.
There is no need to copy and organize information using a high-functionality large-capacity recording device such as a personal computer. Moreover, it is not necessary to have a high function and a large capacity, and it can be a handy type that is convenient for carrying.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention for searching for image information with a digital camera will be described.
FIG. 1 shows the back side of the digital camera (1). A plurality of function switches (11) (12) (13) (14) (16) (17), a feed switch (5), a power button (FIG. (Not shown) and an image display means (90) (LCD) which is a notification means (9).
Specifically, the function switch includes a menu button switch (10), a shooting date button switch (11), an image protect button switch (12), an image rotation button switch (13), a print reservation button switch (14), a playback / A shooting mode switch (16) and a zoom switch (17).
A shutter button (18) is provided on the upper right side of the camera.
An insertion portion (not shown) into which the recording medium (4) can be inserted is provided on the lower surface of the camera.
In the recording medium (4), a plurality of digital image information and search information given to each digital image information are recorded.
In the digital information retrieval / playback apparatus of the embodiment, each function switch (11) (12) (13) (14) (16) (17) is configured so that its original function works when the switch is pressed and released. Yes.

The original function of the shooting date button switch (11) is to select whether or not to display the shooting date information recorded together with the image information together with the image information.
In this embodiment, the shooting date button switch (11) is assigned the role of the shooting date search information switch (2) whose search information is “shooting date”. If the shooting date button switch (11) is kept pressed, the shooting date search information switch (2) is turned on.

The original function of the image protect button switch (12) is to prevent the image displayed on the image display means (90) from being erased.
In the embodiment, the role of the protect search information switch (3) whose search information is “protect” is assigned to the protect button switch (12). If the image protect button (12) is kept pressed, the protect search information switch (3) is turned on.

The feed switch (5) is configured by arranging button switches (51), (52), (53), and (54) in the shape of a cross in the vertical and horizontal directions around the virtual point. The decision button switch (50) is located at the virtual point.
The cross right button switch (53) has a role to display image information in order on the image display means (90) each time the switch is pressed once. In the embodiment, the right switch (53) is assigned the role of a corresponding information forward switch (55) that forwards image information corresponding to the search target in addition to the original role.
The cross left button switch (54) has a role of displaying the image information in the reverse order on the image display means (90) each time the switch is pressed once. In the embodiment, in addition to the original role, the left switch (54) is assigned the role of the corresponding information reverse order forward switch (56) for sending the image information corresponding to the search target in the reverse order.

Like the cross right switch (53), the cross down button switch (52) has a role of displaying image information in order on the image display means (90) each time the button is pressed once. In the embodiment, in addition to the original role, the role of the non-corresponding information forward switch (57) is assigned to the lower cross switch (52). The non-corresponding information sequential advance means that image information having search information other than the search information to be searched is sequentially forwarded.
If the non-corresponding information forward switch (57) is pressed while the search information switches (2) and (3) are being pressed (ON state), the non-corresponding information is forwarded.
Like the cross left switch (54), the cross up button switch (51) has a role of displaying image information in the reverse order on the image display means (90) each time it is pressed once. In the embodiment, the cross switch (51) is assigned the role of the non-relevant information reverse forward switch (58) in addition to the original role. The non-corresponding information reverse order is to forward image information having search information other than the search information to be searched in reverse order.
If the non-corresponding information reverse forward switch (58) is pressed while the search information switches (2) and (3) are being pressed, the non-corresponding information is reversely forwarded.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control of the digital image information searching / reproducing apparatus.
The digital image information searching / reproducing apparatus includes a recording medium reading means (6) for reading the digital image information recorded on the recording medium (4) and search information assigned to each digital image information, and a reading means (6). An input means (7) for inputting search information of digital information to be extracted from among a plurality of digital information read in, and an image read by the reading means with the search information input by the input means (7) Image information search means (8) for extracting image information corresponding to the search information from the image information read by the reading means by collating with the search information added to the information; And image display means (90) for converting and displaying the image.

The input means (7) is a search information selection switch (2) assigned to a part of the functional switches (11) (12) (13) (14) (16) (17) of the search device. (3) and the feed switch (5).
In the embodiment, as described above, the shooting date search information switch (2) is assigned to the shooting date button switch (11), and the protection search information switch (3) is assigned to the image protection button switch (12).

A search procedure will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, a state in which a total of nine pieces of image information “001” to “009” are stored in the recording medium (4) is taken as an example. Of these nine images, the images “002”, “004”, “005”, “008” are protected, and the image “005” is selected and displayed on the image display means (9). Shall.
Further, the forward feed direction is “001” → “002” →… → “009” → “001”, and the reverse forward feed direction is “009” → “008” →… → “001” → “009”. To simply forward the screen, the cross right switch (53) or the cross bottom switch (52) can be pressed, and to reverse forward, the cross left switch (54) or the top switch (51) can be pressed.
Now, it is assumed that the user who operates the search / playback device wants to play back protected images in order from a set of image information recorded on the recording medium (4).

In the present invention, each time the corresponding information forward switch (55) is pressed while pressing the image protect button switch (3), only the protected images can be forwarded and reproduced. Images that do not need to be displayed are skipped.
Specifically, when the image “005” is selected and displayed on the image display means (90), when the corresponding information forward switch (55) is pressed while the protect search information switch (3) is being pressed, The displayed image changes from “005” to “008” which is the next protected state in the forward direction, and “008”, “002”, “004”, “005”, “008”… Displayed in order.
If the corresponding information reverse order switch (56) is pressed while pressing the protect search information switch (3), the information is displayed in the reverse order.

Further, it is assumed that the nine pieces of image information also record the shooting date as shown in FIG.
Of the nine pieces of image information, if the image display means (90) is selected to display the image “005”, pressing the appropriate forward switch (55) while pressing the shooting date search information switch (2) will select it. Only images taken on the same day as the image (taken on 02/02/2004) can be displayed on the image display means (90) in the order of “005”, “006”, “005”.
In addition, if the non-corresponding information forward switch (57) is pressed while pressing the shooting date search information switch (2), the image “006” having another shooting date to be searched next (2004/02/03 shooting) Is displayed on the image display means (90), and the corresponding forward switch (55) is pressed again to display images with the same shooting date information as “006”, “006”, “007”, “008”, “006” Can be displayed in this order.
If you press the reverse search switch (58) while not holding the shooting date search information switch (2), the image "003" (2004/02/01 ) And press the appropriate forward switch (55) again to display images with the same shooting date information as “003” in the order “003”, “001”, “002”, “003”… Can do.

The search procedure will be described in more detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
The search information is “protected”.
In S1, the image displayed on the image display means (90) is set as a temporary selection image. Assume that the displayed image happens to be image “005” corresponding to the search information “protect”.
In S2, it is determined whether or not the protect search information switch (3) is pressed. If Yes, the process proceeds to S3.
In S3, it is determined whether or not the press of the protect search information switch (3) is released. If no, go to S4.
In S4, it is determined whether or not the image displayed on the image display means (90) has the search information “protect”. If Yes, the process proceeds to S5.
In S5, the information contained in the image displayed on the image display means (90) for the pressed search information switch (3) is set as the corresponding information. That is, the corresponding information is determined as “protect”.
In S6, it is determined whether or not the protect search information switch (3) is pressed. If Yes, the process proceeds to S7.
In S7, one of the four feed switches (55) (56) (57) (58) is pressed to play the next image while keeping the protect search information switch (3) pressed. If yes, the process proceeds to S8.
In S8, it is determined whether the pressed switch is the corresponding information retrieval feed switch (55) (56) or the non-corresponding information feed switch (57) (58).
If it is determined that the corresponding information feed switch (55) (56), the process proceeds to S9.
In S9, it is determined whether the forward switch (55) or the reverse forward switch (56). If it is a forward switch (55), the process proceeds to S10.
In S10, the next image “008” having the same information as the image “005” displayed on the image display means (90) of FIG. 3 is displayed on the image display means (90), and the process returns to S5. Thereafter, each time the corresponding information forward switch (55) is pressed, the display can be repeated in the order of “008”, “002”, “004”, “005”, “008”.
If it is determined in S9 that the reverse forward switch 56 is selected, the process proceeds to S11.
In S11, the previous image “004” having the same information as the image “005” displayed on the image display means (90) of FIG. 3 is displayed on the image display means (90), and the process returns to S5. Thereafter, each time the corresponding information reverse order switch (56) is pressed, it is possible to repeatedly display “002”, “008”, “005”, “004”, “002”.
If it is determined in S8 that the pressed switch is a non-corresponding information feed switch (57) (58), the process proceeds to S12.
In S12, it is determined whether the forward switch (57) or the reverse forward switch (58). If it is determined that the forward switch (57), the process proceeds to S13.
In S13, the next image “006” having search information (search information other than “protect”) different from the image “005” displayed on the image display means (90) of FIG. 3 is displayed on the image display means (90). Is displayed and returns to S5.
As shown in FIG. 4, since the image “006” records the shooting date search information, the shooting date search information switch (2) is pressed (S6), and the corresponding information forward switch (55) is set in S7. When pressed, “007” having the same date information as the image “006” is displayed. When the corresponding information reverse feed switch (56) is pressed in S7, “008” having the same date information as the image “007” is displayed. Each time the corresponding information reverse order switch (56) is pressed, "006", "007", "008", "006", etc. having the same date information are displayed in this order.
As described above, the search target can be quickly changed by using the non-corresponding information search switches (57) and (58).
If it is determined in S12 that the reverse forward switch (58) is selected, the process proceeds to S14.
In S14, the previous image “003” having search information (search information other than “protect”) different from “005” displayed on the image display means (90) of FIG. 3 is displayed on the image display means (90). Then, the process returns to S5, the image “003” is displayed, and the process returns to S5.
If the protect search information switch (3) is not pressed in S2, the process returns to S1.
If the protect search information switch (3) is released in S3, the process moves to S15, and the image protect button (12) to which the protect search information switch (3) is assigned operates. That is, “protect” is applied to the image displayed on the image display means (90) (in the case of an image that has already been “protected”, the protection can be canceled).
If the protect search information switch (3) is not pressed in S6, it is determined that the search is not performed, and the process ends.

  Even if the search information switch (2) (3) is released after any switch (55) (56) (57) (58) of the feed switch (5) is pressed in S7. The shooting date button switch (11) to which the search information switches (2) and (3) are assigned, and the image protect button (12) are not carelessly performed so that they do not perform their original functions. ) Prevents the image protect button (12) from working.

As described above, the search / playback device operates the image information having the common search information from the large amount of image information irregularly recorded on the recording medium (4) as in the normal playback procedure. The image can be displayed on the image display means (90) without changing the value.
Since an image that does not need to be viewed is skipped, the image can be displayed efficiently.
Further, the group to be displayed can be quickly changed by non-corresponding search by the non-corresponding information switches (57) and (58).
Since the search information selection switches (2) and (3) are assigned to the function switches (11) and (12) that originally have different roles, it is not necessary to increase the number of switches. For this reason, the design of the switch arrangement surface of the search / playback device can be refreshed.
Further, since it is not necessary to increase the number of switches, it is not necessary to enlarge the device for the addition of switches. In addition, since it is not necessary to use a high-function and large-capacity recording apparatus, the apparatus can be a handy type convenient for carrying.
Further, the role of the shooting date search information switch (2) of the search information “shooting date” is assigned to the switch (11) for recording the shooting date, and the search information “12” is applied to the image protect button (12) for applying protection. Since the role of the protect search information switch (3) of “protect” is assigned to make the original function and the search information relevant, the switch operation error is reduced.

  The description of the above embodiments is for explaining the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or reducing the scope thereof. Each part configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims.

For example, in the embodiment, “shooting date” and “protect” are used as search information. However, the search information is not limited to this, and the search information may be added to or added to information recorded on the recording medium. Of course, it is possible to search from the type of search information, for example, necessity of printing, shutter speed, exposure, weather, shooting environment, and the like.
In this case, the function switch to which the search information switch is assigned has no problem in use even if the function switch having no relation to the search information is assigned.

  The search information switch (2) (3) of the embodiment is a push button type, but the information switch (2) (3) can be assigned to a touch switch displayed on the screen of the image display means (90). The configuration of the switch does not matter.

  In the embodiment, the search information switches (2) and (3) are assigned to the function switches (11) and (12) that originally have different roles, but the search information switches (2) and (3) are provided independently. Is also possible. In this case, the number of switches increases, but mistakes in switch operation are reduced.

  In the embodiment, the image information is a still image, but it can of course be implemented with a moving image.

  In addition, from the set of digitized audio information, the audio information of a desired group is converted into analog using the same method as described above, and the information is notified by an informing means (9) such as a speaker, an earphone, or a headphone. it can.

It is a rear view of a digital camera. It is a control block diagram of a search / playback apparatus. It is explanatory drawing in the case of searching the image which has protection information from several image information. It is explanatory drawing in the case of searching the image which has the same imaging date information from several image information. It is a figure which shows the first half of the flowchart of an image search. It is a figure which shows the first half of the flowchart of an image search.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital camera
11 Shooting date button switch
12 Image protect button switch 2 Shooting date search information switch 3 Protect search information switch 4 Recording medium 5 Feed switch

Claims (6)

  Reading means for reading a plurality of digital information and search information assigned to each digital information, input means for inputting search information for digital information to be extracted from a set of digital information read by the reading means, and input by the input means The search means that compares the searched search information with the search information read by the reading means to extract only the digital information corresponding to the search information, and a notification that converts the extracted digital information into analog information and notifies The input means comprises a search information selection switch for selecting search information, and a feed switch for switching information notified by the notification means to the next information, and the input means includes the search Turn on the information selection switch and press the feed switch to respond to the search information. Digital information retrieval and playback apparatus capable of notifying only by the informing means information.   The search information selection switch is obtained by assigning a role for selecting search information to a function switch having a different role originally provided by the search device in addition to the original role of the function switch. The digital information retrieval / reproduction device described.   The digital information search / reproduction device according to claim 2, wherein the function switch has an original function when pressed and released, and the search information selection switch is ON in the pressed state.   The feed switch is a cross switch in which four switches are arranged on the top, bottom, left and right across the virtual point. A non-relevant information forward switch for causing the notification means to sequentially notify the information not corresponding to the search information in reverse order. The digital information searching / reproducing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The digital information searching / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the digital information is image information.   A digital camera comprising the digital information searching / reproducing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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